12 Oct 2016

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale has advised members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi to propose an amendment to relevant sections of the law in their quest to seek continuity of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi leadership after dissolution of Parliament.

Mr Molale was responding to a motion by Kgosi Moeti Monyamane of Kgalagadi North region, which requested government to allow chairperson and deputy chairperson of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi to continue performing their functions until elections for the new office bearers after dissolution of Parliament.

Therefore, he said there was need for amendment of certain clauses of the constitution.

Mr Molale said government alone did not have the powers to do so, without constitutional amendment calling for inclusion of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi chairperson and deputy.

He said in accordance with the Constitution, (Section 57); there shall be Parliament of Botswana which shall consist of the President and National Assembly.

He said Section 58 of the Constitution suggests that the President shall be the ex-officio member of the national assembly which consist of 57 elected members and four specially elected, which was recently amended.

This, he said did not in any way mention Ntlo Ya Dikgosi and that even though the offices were confined to Parliament buildings, the Constitution was silent in this regard.

Mr Molale said because of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi’s confinement to Parliament buildings, by implication when the National Assembly dissolved, all its aspects dissolved.

Minister Molale further said section 91 of the constitution was only specific on the continuity of speakership after dissolution of Parliament and not other organs.

“This is meant for continuity in the event that before holding of the next general election, the president may consider that there be a state of emergency, hence the speakership should be available to summon the dissolved parliament. That is why there are exclusions of speakership so that we are not boggled down on procedures and processes of calling the national assembly,” he said.

Mr Molale further said the reasons advanced by mover of the motion about rules of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi were subject to the legislative provisions.

Even though the minister advised on the re-phrasing of the motion, dikgosi gave it a nod. ENDS